Service-box cover.



No. 748,394. PATBNTED DEC. 29, 1903. H. MARTIN. SERVICE BOX COVER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 20, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

Patented December 29, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY PHILIPP MARTIN, OF OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY.

SERVICE-BOX COVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 748,394, dated December 29, 1903. Application filed April 20, 1903. Serial No. 153 ,496. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY PHILIPP MAR- TIN, a citizen of the United States, residing lowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in stop or service box covers; and its object is to provide automatic locking means for said covers.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby a cover cannot be removed except when a specially-constructed key is employed.

The invention'furthe-r consists in the construction of a cover which shall entirely inclose the top of the box and yet be accessible when it is desired to examine the interior thereof.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction of a cover having means secured thereto whereby the cover when placed upon the box is automatically locked thereon.

The invention further'consists in the construction of a locking member whereby it would be impossible to release the same except by employing a specially-constructed key.

The invention further consistsin the novel construction of the parts, as is hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the device, showing the cover and box partially in cross-section. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bottom of the cover. Fig. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the pawl. Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a specially-constructed key which I employ in the operation of my device.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, 1 designates a service-box casing, and 2 a cover therefor.

3 designates a depending bracket formed integral with the cover 2. The bracket 3 is conical-shaped,-so as to permit key-grooves 13 to terminate near an extension 50f a pawl when the same is mounted on said bracket 3. The pawl 4 is preferably constructed from a single piece of sheet metal and has a bottom extension 5 and bifurcated extensions 6, which are adapted to partially encircle the bracket 3 when said cover 2 is removed from the service-box 1. The service-box 1 is provided with inwardly-extending flanges 7, and an annular rim 8 is formed upon the cover 2, adapted to engage the inner edge of the flange 7 when the cover is placed upon the box 1. Lugs or prongs 9 are formed integral with the cover 2, and they are adapted to engage the flange 7 upon its curved inner surface 10. The pawl4 is provided with a curved surface 19 and is adapted to engage the corresponding surfaces 10 upon the boxwhen the said cover is in a locked position upon the same. Formed integral with the depending bracket 3 is a ridge 11 and flanges 12, said ridge and flanges forming deflectinggrooves 13 upon the said bracket 3. The slotted boss or nut 14 is removably secured to the cover 2. It will be seen that the projection 5 of the pawl 4 protrudes beyond the ridge 11 when the said pawl is in a locked position.

Inthe drawings, Fig. 4 illustrates a specially-constructed key comprising a blank sheetof metal 15, twisted at 16 and having a notched end 17. A cut-out portion 18 is formed upon the key, said portion preventing the insertion of the key into the box to a distance greater than is necessary for the operation of the pawl. The twisting of the end 16 provides a flat surface having a notch 17 thereon at right angles to the blank portion 15. The convex surface of the boss 14 prevents water or any foreign substance from entering the box, but permits of the operating-key being inserted into the same.

It will be seen by examining the drawings that if it were desired to remove the cover from the box the key is inserted in the slot of the boss 14 and pressed forward. The notch Y other end, said projection extending beyond 17 engages the ridge 11 and is guided into contact with the projection 5 of the pawl 4.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that a key not specially constructed if inserted into the box will be deflected by the ridge 11 and will pass the extension 5 of the pawl 4E.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A service-box cover provided with adepending bracket, a ridge and flanges formed upon said bracket, said flanges extending beyond the lowest part of said ridge, and a pawl pivotally mounted upon said bracket provided with means extending beyond the ridge of said bracket when the cover is in a locking position upon a box.

2. The combination with a service-box provided with an inwardly-extending annular flange, of a cover therefor provided with projecting lugs, a bracket secured to said cover, deflecting-grooves formed upon said bracket, a hollow pawl pivotally secured to said bracket and a key adapted to engage the grooves formed upon said bracket and operate the pawl when the cover is in a locking position upon said box.

3. In a device of the character described,the combination with a box, of a cover therefor, a depending member secured to said cover, automatic locking means secured to said depending member, said depending member formed with a guide, a key comprising a flat handle, a cut-out portion thereon, a notch formed upon a twisted end, said notch adapted to engage said guide formed upon the depending member of the cover and impinged against a portion of the locking means carried by said cover.

4. In adevice of the character described, the combination with a box, of a cover therefor provided with separate locking-lugs extending therefrom in adjacent positions and extending at angles relative to each other, a depending bracket formed, integral therewith, a hollow pawl pivotally secured to the same and partially encircling it when said cover is in an unlocked position.

5. In a device of the character described,the combination with a box of a covering therefor, a depending bracket secured to said covering and having a key-guide formed with deflecting-grooves, a pawl partially encircling the said bracket, rigid engaging means upon said cover for positively securing the cover in a locked position, substantially as described.

6. In adevice of the character described,the combination with a box, of a cover therefor,a depending member formed integral with said cover and a ridge extending therefrom,a pawl pivotally secured to said depending member comprising curved bifurcated extensions at one end and a projection extending at the the plane of said ridge when the said pawl is in a locked position, and a key having a notched end adapted to impinge against the said projection and release the cover when inserted into the box.

7. In a device of the character described,the combination with a box of a cover therefor provided with a depending portion, a keyguide formed upon said portion, a pawl pivotally secured to said portion comprising a single sheet of folded metal, rigid lugs formed upon said cover, an annular rib formed integral with the cover and adapted to engage the flanged edge of the box when the cover is upon the same, substantially as described.

8. In adevice of the character described,the combination with a box of a cover therefor, a locking mechanism carried thereby, a key for actuating the mechanism for releasing the cover from said box comprising a shank and twisted portion formed thereon, a notch formed upon the end of the twisted portion and a cut-out portion on said shank, substantially as described.

9. In a device of the class described the combination with a service-box provided with an inwardly-extending annular flange, of a concave cover adapted to be mounted upon said box, projecting lugs formed upon said cover, a depending bracket secured to the cover provided with grooves forming a guide for a key, a-pivoted pawl secured to said bracket provided with extensions one of which is adapted to extend beyond the plane of said grooves formed upon the bracket, and a key adapted to be passed through an aperture in said cover and actuating the pawl carried by said bracket.

10. A cover for service-boxes provided with rigid lugs, a single bracket formed integral with said cover, a pawl pivotally secured to said bracket and partially encircling the same, a key-guide formed upon said bracket extending the length of one edge, and means for" actuating the mechanism carried by the cover for unlocking the same.

11. A cover for service-boxes provided with rigid means and a pivoted member for retaining the cover in a lock position upon a box, the pivoted member comprisinga single piece of metal formed with parallel sides and extensions projecting in the same direction, a guide upon said depending member extending the length of the same said guide adapted to receive a key for actuating the pivoted member.

12. A service-box cover provided with a series of, separate depending members one of which is provided with diverging grooves, formed in the same vertical transverse plane, a sheet-metal pawl pivotally secured to said member, and a key for actuating said pawl.

13. An annular cover for service-boxes provided with a removable boss, separate lugs provided with extensions and a bracket se- In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY PHILIPP MARTIN.

Witnesses:

S. W. BEDFORD, J A. OORLEY. 

